NEWARK – BuckinBurger, which opened in November 2016, in north Newark's Long Pond Plaza, next to Wal-Mart, has closed.

A sign on the door of the restaurant reads, "We have made the difficult decision to close our doors. We enjoyed serving you and thank you for your visits."

The restaurant, billed as a trendy, fast casual burger joint, began as a food truck in Zanesville in the summer of 2015, then found a year-round home in Newark the following year.

In an email response from Buckingburger, the restaurant stated that other brands with greater marketing power had the same idea to provide a fast casual brand that would serve people outside the major metros, in smaller communities.

"Upon the recent opening of Five Guys in the area, we’ve decided to make the difficult and heartfelt decision to close," the statement said. "Although we had great success up until this point, and we think with minor modifications the restaurant could be a hopping place again, we’ve ultimately decided that our hearts and wallets are in a better place to pursue other ventures."

BuckinBurger seeks a buyer for its north Newark location. If interested, send an email to: email@buckinburger.com.

"Our hope is that the storefront will be open again quickly, so employees and folks who enjoy coming to the place, will quickly have a place to come back to if they’d like," it said.

Dan Woodward, one of the owners, said in March 2017 that the business had been everything they hoped it would be.

Rhea Powell, manager of Walls of Books, located next to the BuckinBurger, said she noticed a change at the restaurant about the time the bookstore opened in February.

"Right before we opened, we saw a change in staff and, I think, that's what caused their downfall," Powell said.

Closure of the restaurant, which Powell said occurred the day before Easter, has not hurt the bookstore, which sells used and new books at discounted prices.

"It hasn't impacted us at all," Powell said. "Business has been well. If anything, we might be busier than before."

At the time the restaurant opened, the ownership group consisted of Woodward and Andy Wills, both from Zanesville, and Eric Mitchell and his father, Adam Mitchell, both from Nashport. Adam Mitchell is president of Creno's Pizza Co.

The 2,251-square-foot space, previously home to Bake-N-Brew, had been renovated extensively, with an open ceiling to reveal the metal and duct work, a concrete floor, and Amish-made wood tables, Woodward said.